The Brownwood Fire Department is a step closer to having a new fire station, as the foundation for the new building was poured on Wednesday.
The new station is being constructed by Waldrop Construction, the general contractor who set the forms and rebar. The concrete placement and finish work was completed by subcontractor Miller-Sierra of Euless, Texas according to Waldrop’s project manager (who asked to remain anonymous). The crew working on the concrete consisted of 4 men from Waldrop’s crew and about 11 men from Miller-Sierra.
Approximately 600 yards of concrete was needed to complete the job, which equaled about 9 truckloads.
Recent weather has delayed construction a bit and even the concrete work, which was originally scheduled for Monday, was delayed by subfreezing weather. According to the project manager, 75 degree weather is optimal for the concrete to set and cure. It cures slower in cold weather and takes more labor to work it into a smooth surface, the project manager explained.
The build is approximately 18-20% complete, now that the foundation is poured, according to the project manager. He stated that after 7 days of curing, the slab will be ready for work above ground to begin. Structural steel will be added sometime next week, followed by wood framing at the end of April. Toward the end of May, it is projected that the masonry and roof will be completed.
Brownwood Fire Chief Del Albright was on site when the pour began and stated that he was glad to see significant progress.
“It’s a foundation now,” said Albright. “It’s been a hole for a long time. It’s hard to see the floor plan before the slab is completed.”
The slab and pipes jutting out of it were described by the project manager who stated that the living areas, office, and public areas of the station were poured first, followed by the apparatus bay which was poured Wednesday night. Crews worked through the night to complete the job.
The finished station on the corner of Adams Street and Congress will have a red brick and Austin stone veneer with arched windows and other architecture that will match the style of the Depot and Cultural Center and Lehnis Railroad Museum.
Pictured above are crews working to pour and finish the large concrete slab. Below is a rendering of the finished station along with more photos of the worksite as the crews worked on Wednesday afternoon.
The project manager explains how the slab is to be poured in two sections to Brownwood City Manager Bobby Rountree (center). Also pictured from left to right are David Harris (far left), Walter Banks, and Del Albright (far left).
On site mock up of exterior materials.
